Regional structural brain changes are among the most robust biological findings in schizophrenia, yet the underlying pathophysiological changes remain poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests that abnormal neuronal/dendritic plasticity is related to alterations in membrane lipids. We examined whether serum activity of membrane lipid remodelling/repairing cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))...

In natural world, lignin is unique and the most abundant renewable carbon source after cellulose, therefore, more applications of adding commercial value of lignin are needed. Polylactic acid (PLA), which has the second highest consumption of bioplastic in the world, is a biodegradable composite with widely application in industry. A filler adding into PLA can decrease the cost of the composite...

Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) was purified to homogeneity from the supernatant fraction of rat testis homogenate. The purified 63-kDa enzyme did not require Ca(2+) ions for activity and exhibited both phosphatidic acid-preferring PLA(2) and monoacylglycerol lipase activities with a modest specificity toward unsaturated acyl chains. Anionic detergents enhanced these activities. Serine-modifying ir...

We report here a unique method of formulating camptothecin-polylactide (CPT-PLA) conjugate nanoparticles, termed nanoconjugates (NCs), through CPT/(BDI)ZnN(TMS)(2) [(BDI) = 2-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)amido)-4-((2,6-bisalkyl)-imino)-2-pentene] mediated polymerization of lactide (LA) followed by nanoprecipitation. When CPT was used as the initiator to polymerize LA in the presence of (BDI)ZnN(TMS)...

The investigation of intracellular phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) enzymes in endothelial cells (ECs) seems interesting because it may contribute to unveil the mechanisms of biological processes such as angiogenesis, adhesion and transmigration of inflammatory cells, atherogenesis, blood brain barrier and tumor progression. To date, limited information is available regarding the function and regula...

We have examined the effects of intravenous infusion of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor (rh-TNF) on serum activity of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) in patients with malignancies. Nine patients received a 24 h continuous intravenous infusion ranging from 1.0 x 10(5) U/m(2) to 3.0 x 10(5) U/m(2); 14 patients received a 5 day continuous intravenous infusion ranging from 0.5 x 10(5) U/m(2)/d...

PURPOSE Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially in advanced plaques. In the present study, the abilities of darapladib, a selective Lp-PLA(2) inhibitor, and lentivirus-mediated Lp-PLA(2) silencing on inflammation and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were compared. METHODS Apolipoprotein E-deficient ...

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs induce proteins that inhibit phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), including uteroglobin and lipocortin-1 (annexin I). Uteroglobin and lipocortin-1 retain several conserved sequences. Based on these sequences, several nonapeptides (antiflammins) were synthesized. These nonapeptides were shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo, possibly by inhibiting...

BACKGROUND Whether lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) levels are associated with kidney function decline has not been well studied. METHODS We investigated associations of Lp-PLA(2) antigen and activity with kidney function decline and rapid decline over 5.7 years in the Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 4,359). We estimated kidney function by cystatin C (eGFRcys) in repeate...

BACKGROUND Taiwan is endemic for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Septic ocular or central nervous system (CNS) complications derived from PLA can result in catastrophic disability. We investigated the epidemiology and long-term prognosis of PLA patients with septic ocular or CNS complications over an 8-year period. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We extracted 21,307 patients with newly diagnosed...